Calls for national award for late NCIC President

Prominent voices in the cultural community are calling for a posthumous national award to honour Independent Senator and National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) president Deoroop Teemal, who died in his sleep around 1 am yesterday. He was 68.

Cultural stalwarts Dr Satnarine Balkaransingh, Ravi Ji, Pundit Lutchmidat Maharaj, and author Doolarchan Hanoomansingh said Senator Teemal’s decades of service to culture, community, and country merit national recognition.

Ravi Ji remembered him as a committed community worker and devoted family man.

“His life was thoroughly immersed in service—to his family, his community, and the nation. His signature was service,” he said, lamenting the recent loss of other NCIC pillars such as Hans Hanoomansingh and Deokienanan Sharma.

He credited Teemal with elevating Divali Nagar to international standards.

Dr Balkaransingh, who was among Teemal’s first students after returning from India, said they maintained a close professional bond.

“Teemal’s heart was in the right place. He enacted a number of positive changes within the NCIC. From an early age, he promoted Indian cultural values. The country has lost a man of great vision,” he said, urging the NCIC to formally recommend him for a national award.

Author Doolarchan Hanoomansingh recalled Teemal as “a quiet, humble man” deeply committed to cultural and social upliftment.

“When he became an Independent Senator, I wasn’t surprised—he had the wisdom and ability to serve at that level,” he said.

Pundit Lutchmidat said Teemal’s distinction enabled him to represent a significant portion of the Indian diaspora in the Senate, adding, “He leaves a substantial void.”

SEWA TT head Revan Teelucksingh described Teemal as “a quiet yet unwavering force” who made the NCIC compound available for humanitarian work, including mass vaccinations during the pandemic.

“In his quiet way, he reminded us: ‘Together, we serve better.’ May we honour his memory through continued service,” he said.

Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce president Baldath Maharaj called him “a proud son of Central Trinidad” whose work in national development, social equity, and community upliftment will be deeply missed.

Agricultural economist Omadath Maharaj noted Teemal’s focus on youth involvement and inclusivity in preserving Indian culture, recalling collaborations on Divali Nagar, international conferences, and the Brinsley Samaroo Distinguished Lecture Series on Food Security.

NCIC First Vice-President Surujdeo Mangaroo described Teemal’s death as a “tremendous loss” for Indian cultural development, confirming he had been unwell for the past week. Mangaroo will act as president until elections in April 2026.

Teemal served the NCIC for more than two decades, including multiple terms as Chairman of Divali Nagar. Professionally, he was a civil and structural engineer and project manager with 37 years’ experience, working with clients including the Ministry of Works, NIPDEC, and WASA. He was principal of Team Engineering Systems Limited.

He served in the 11th, 12th, and 13th Republican Parliaments.

He is survived by his wife, Geeta, and two adult daughters.